Predator Rigs Have Arrived

Soaking meat below a setline is one of the best ice fishing tactics for catching trophy predators, like pike, walleye and lake trout. To help anglers get the most from live-bait and dead-bait presentations, VMC created its Bladed Predator Rigs. Available in either a Wire “Y” Harness or a Single Fluorocarbon Harness configuration, these premium rigs are ideal for tip-up, dead-stick and rattle reel tactics.

Bladed Predator Rigs feature VMC’s Bladed Hybrid Treble, a specialty hook outfitted with a small willow blade for extra strike-triggering vibration and flash. Also sure to please anglers are the strength of these forged, hi-carbon steel trebles, their wide gap and sticky-sharp, needle points. These qualities are key for Bladed Predator Rigs’s hooks to easily find purchase after a predator takes the bait, and provide rock-solid strength throughout the battle.

Tip: The Bladed Predator Rigs’ long-shank trebles aid in speedy hook removal, helping anglers get trophy fish back in the water fast.

This rig features an upside-down “Y” configuration, with a #4, 180-pound, black, stainless-steel swivel at the top, and two Bladed Hybrid Trebles, each its own wire arm, dangling below. A secure crimp process locks components in place, preventing slips or failures. Bite-proof wire delivers the durability needed for catching strong, sharp-toothed predators.

The Wire “Y” Harness rig is available in 1, 1/0, 2/0 and 3/0 treble options, which are perfect for rigging ciscos, big suckers, shiners, store-bought sardines and other meal-sized baitfish.

Rigging a baitfish with one treble set behind its head and the other hooked behind the dorsal fin keeps the bait horizontal. This natural profile helps dupe predators.

The Bladed “Y” Harness’ design also improves catch rates. Using the bait-hooking method described above, an angler is able to immediately set the hook when a fish strikes, preventing gut-hooking and improving catch-and-release practices.

This pre-tied, single hook rig is outstanding for stealthy presentations. Sufix Fluorocarbon delivers near invisibility underwater, and exceptional abrasion resistance and strength. The Bladed Treble’s willow blade and red attractor bead add subtle appeal to stimulate strikes from curious onlookers in icy waters. Available in a 6, 4, 2 or 1 size treble.

At 24 inches, The Bladed Predator Rig is well suited for bait presentations where a touch of finesse is required. The single hook and flexible fluorocarbon leader allowing a live minnow to swim around more freely than a “Y” harness version.

Tip: Always make sure the bait is well presented, by checking the rig in the ice hole or just beneath the ice, before lowering the offering to feeding depth.

Points, humps, saddles and deep flats are a few classic locations to deploy Bladed Predator Rigs below tip-ups, dead-stick rods and rattle reels. This holds true for pike, walleye, lake trout and many other predators.

Given this blog’s timing, a friendly reminder is in order that some of the best ice-fishing action for big pike is fast approaching, if not already in some regions in Canada. As late ice arrives, pike push towards and, eventually, into spawning bays and tributaries, relating to features along the way like points, rocky reefs and weedbeds. A Bladed Predator Rig outfitted with a sizeable cisco, sucker or sardine is sure to catch them from these locations.

Set a Bladed Predator Rig based on the depth where fish are feeding. When predators relate to bottom, position the bait one to four feet off the lakebed, for instance.

Bait depth is more art than science, though. Get in the habit of experimenting with different depths, as well as moving an unproductive rig to different holes, until it starts catching fish.

Rapala Thermal Tip-Up, SmartHub Rattle Reel, Sufix Performance V-Coat Tip-Up Line or Performance Tip-Up Ice Braid, Mag Spring Pliers, Fisherman’s 11” Pliers or Hook Removers, Rapala Fish Towel, R12 Lithium Aerator.